Risco de insegurança alimentar e consumo de alimentos segundo a classificação NOVA entre estudantes de uma universidade pública no interior do Amazonas

Abstract

ABSTRACT | Introduction: The nutritional transition has increased the consumption of ultra-processed foods, especially among university students, favoring low-quality dietary patterns and influencing nutritional status and the risk of food insecurity (FI). Objectives: to analyze the risk of food insecurity and food consumption, according to the NOVA classification, among students at a public university in the interior of Amazonas. Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted with 165 students ≥18 years old. Socioeconomic information, FI risk was assessed using the Food Insecurity Screening (TRIA), nutritional status was assessed using self-reported BMI, and food consumption was evaluated using the Screener-NOVA. Results: The prevalence of FI risk was 38.8%, being higher among mixed-race (40%) and indigenous (55%) students and among those with income below R$ 500 (47.7%). Approximately 48.5% were overweight. Low variety was observed in the consumption of unprocessed foods, as almost half of the students consumed only 0 to 4 types of these foods. On the other hand, 23% consumed four or more ultra-processed foods. The most consumed items were margarine (40%), soft drinks (31.5%), sliced bread or hot dogs (28.49%), and processed meats such as sausages and hamburgers (24.24%). Students without risk of food intolerance showed greater diversity of unprocessed foods and lower consumption of ultra-processed foods. Conclusion: The results show a high prevalence of food intolerance risk and significant consumption of ultra-processed foods among university students, associated with low dietary diversity and socioeconomic vulnerability, especially among lower-income students.